Driving In Singapore Guide – Learn How to Drive, Get Your Driving License Or Convert Your International License

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO DRIVE IN SINGAPORE?

The Singapore government insists on a driving license before an individual can drive a motor vehicle of any description on roads throughout the country. The license holder is subject to all traffic rules and laws. The minimum age to have a Qualified Driving License (QDL) in Singapore is 18 years old. The license is valid for the holder’s lifespan. If the holder of a QDL accumulates 13 demerit points throughout the year, the license will be revoked, and the individual will have to retake all the necessary driving tests to drive or ride a motor vehicle again.

To obtain a license from scratch, these are the steps:

STEP 1: Take A Basic Theory Test

The starting point is to purchase the BTT Book and the Highway Code from your local book store or driving center and start studying. There are numerous online mock tests available to check your skills before sitting the Basic Theory Test exam. Once you or your teen feel comfortable with all of the questions and answers, it’s time to book the formal test online or in person. The test fee is SG$6.50.

The test centers are around the city;

Bukit Batok Driving Center, 815 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, Singapore 659085, +65 1800 666 8888 , https://info.bbdc.sg/

ComfortDelGro Driving Center, 205 Ubi Avenue 4, Singapore 408805 (branches at Kovan and Tampines), +65 6841 8900 or +65 6848 0617, https://www.cdc.com.sg/

Singapore Safety Driving Center, 2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4, Singapore 757387 (branch office at Ang Mo Kio), +65 6482 6060, https://ssdcl.com.sg/

STEP 2: Apply For Your Provisional Driving License

You and/or your teen will have to head to the Traffic Police Test Center with the Basic Theory Test certificate, identity card, and SIN$25 for the license, payable by cash or electronic transfer (NETS).

STEP 3: Driving Lessons In Singapore - Driving Schools And Private Classes

Here comes the nerve-wracking part. There are three options. One – dad, two - a driving school, and three - a private instructor. OK, there are two sensible options.

Driving Schools In Singapore:

Singapore has three accredited and official driving schools, and they each have the same fixed syllabus to follow. You'll have to have a minimum number of lessons before you can go for your test. There are practice circuits courses, including the testing crank and S-course to master parallel parking, direction change, vertical parking skills, up-down ramp driving, and a road confidence course to see how you would navigate a real road. There should be no need to book these courses.

Bukit Batok Driving Center

Comfort DelGro Driving Center

Singapore Safety Driving Center

The cost of lessons depends on the driving school but will be up to SIN$86 for a two-hour lesson. Students usually require between 20 and 25 lessons before attempting the practical test so expect to have an SG$2000 hole in your pocket by the time you reach the first test. If you want to request a specific instructor, expect to part with an additional SIN$10 per lesson.

Private Driving Lessons In Singapore

There are hundreds of private driving instructors throughout Singapore. There is one super-helpful platform that can help you find the perfect fit. PDI Reviews gives you the lowdown via genuine reviews about Private Driving Instructors in Singapore. You can expect to pay between SIN$25 and SIN$60 per hour with a private teacher. The lessons are shorter than those of the driving schools. Expect a similar SG$2000 hole and up to 30 lessons depending on how you or your teenager gets to grips with learning to drive. Private lessons tend to be more flexible with hours, and there isn't a strict syllabus to follow.

STEP 4: Final Theory Test

Once again, you need to book the theory test through the driving centers. The test fee is SIN$6.50. Once you have passed the test, you have two years from that date to pass your practical driving test.

Bukit Batok Driving Center, 815 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, Singapore 659085, +65 1800 666 8888 , https://info.bbdc.sg/

ComfortDelGro Driving Center, 205 Ubi Avenue 4, Singapore 408805 (branches at Kovan and Tampines), +65 6841 8900 or +65 6848 0617, https://www.cdc.com.sg/

Singapore Safety Driving Center, 2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4, Singapore 757387 (branch office at Ang Mo Kio), +65 6482 6060, https://ssdcl.com.sg/

STEP 5: The Driving Test

Now that you or your excited teen has passed the basic and final theory test, it's time to drive the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), East Coast Parkway (ECP), Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), and Central Expressway (CTE). Yes, you'll be expected to remember these acronyms! Now it's time for the PDT, the Practical Driving Test. When the instructor thinks that you are ready for your driving license, they will make a booking for you. The test costs SIN$33.00. Once this is booked and paid, you’ll be given a receipt with the date, venue, and time.

The PDT will be conducted by a traffic police-approved driving examiner. The test is in two parts. The first part of the exam is on the driving circuit, where the examiner will assess your skills in a safe environment. The second part will be on the public roads. The examiner will observe your abilities in interacting appropriately and safely with other road users while fully complying with traffic rules and regulations. It's not a walk in the park and can be pretty petrifying. They will record any minor errors as penalty points, and any severe mistakes will, unfortunately, result in an immediate fail.

You passed! You can celebrate by shelling out the mandatory SIN$50 for the driving license at the driving center.

If for any reason, you fail, you can book the two compulsory revision lessons and reschedule your driving test.

MORE INFO: Converting Your Foreign Driving License In Singapore

If you hold an international driving license that was issued outside Singapore and you wish to drive, you will need to convert your foreign or international license to a Singapore license. You must do this within 12 months (or the license's expiry date if less), or you will have to pass the practical driving test.

To convert your foreign or international driving license, you must pass the basic theory test (BTT). When you have completed your studies, you can register at one of the driving schools and book your test.

What do you need?

Original and photocopy of your:

• Passport
• National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) or Foreign Identification Number (FIN)
• Valid foreign or international driving license
• One passport photograph – ensure you have;

1. 1. White background
   2. Eyes straight ahead
   3. Ears and eyebrows visible
   4. No headgear (unless for religious reasons)
   5. Non-tinted glasses

• SG$50 fee payable by cash card or transfer (NETS)
• Basic Theory Test result slip.

DONE! Congratulations You Can Drive In Singapore!

Now that you have passed, congratulations! You’ll need to go to one of the Traffic Police Test Center counters located in each driving center.

Congratulations, drive safely, and enjoy exploring Singapore.